Many changes occur as a person ages. These changes impact a person's
physical, emotional and cognitive abilities as well as social roles.
Gardening can be used in a therapeutic way to address these issues
and improve the elderly person's physical and emotional conditions,
cognitive ability and social interactions. However, many of the
changes involved in aging must be addressed by modifications in
gardening practices, situations and tools. Changes that occur with
age are listed in the following chart as well as the impacts of the
changes and the gardening adaptations that can result in continued
participation.
| Life changes caused by aging | Impacts | Gardening Adaptations |
|---|
|
| Physical |
| Vision: The lens thickens, yellows and becomes opaque.
| Reduced clarity. Blue, violet and green harder to see. Depth
perception is diminished.
| Paint tools a bright color. Use larger seed or pelletized seed. Grow
plants with more tactile and olfactory stimulation. Use vertical
planting. Create smooth surfaced paths. |
| Muscular and skeletal: There is reduced agility, balance and strength
and an increase in tremors and broken bones.
| Difficulty lifting and moving objects. Falling is more likely.
Gardening becomes more difficult.
| Raised beds reduce the need to bend or kneel. The edges of raised beds
can provide a place to sit while gardening. Stools provide an
intermediate step between standard gardening and raised beds.
Adaptive tools with better leverage and improved grips help make
gardening easier. |
| Temperature adaptability: The body does not adjust as quickly or as
well to temperature extremes and changes.
| High and low temperatures are not tolerated as well. Hyperthermia or
heatstroke is more likely. Heat exhaustion caused by loss of body
water and salt is likely. Sunburn, eczema, dermatitis and infections
increase.
| Garden early in the morning or late in the day. Drink water and juice
and avoid alcoholic beverages. Shower frequently or splash water on
the body. Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothes that cover exposed
skin. Wear a hat. Apply sunscreen. Eat light meals. Discuss heat
related problems that may be complicated by medications with a
physician. Wear gloves. Soak cuts and punctures in a mild salt
solution (1 teaspoon per cup of water) until scab forms. |
| Disease and chronic conditions: arthritis and rheumatism, heart
disease, kidney function
| Strength decreases and pain increases. The person tires easily.
Urination increases in frequency.
| Adaptive tools combined with light, easily worked soil allow gardening
activities to continue. Indoor and container gardening projects are
more appropriate. Frequent resting periods and a cool place to rest
are needed. Bathroom facilities should be near the garden. |
| Cognitive |
| Concept development may decrease if the person is not active and
social. Alzheimer's disease is more likely, resulting in loss of
short-term memory.
| It becomes more difficult to learn new skills and to remember recent
activities.
| The garden can be kept simple with less confusing plantings. Plants
that trigger memories can be planted. A distinctive and familiar
focal point allows for easier orientation and wayfinding. |
| Reaction time increases.
| The learning pace slows. Accidents with power tools are more likely.
| Avoid the use of power tools. Allow plenty of time for gardening
activities, keeping the pace leisurely. |
| Societal Roles |
| Sense of security and safety is decreased.
| This increases the level of fear of outside events and accidents.
| Gardening activities should be in a safe place that provides a sense
of security. Fences and walls provide security. Gardening with other
people provides security and safety. |
| Family roles change. Economically the elderly person becomes more
dependent and loses control of many aspects of life. Family and
friends may move or die, isolating the person. Self-esteem and
self-confidence are reduced.
| This can result in aggressive behavior, isolation, regression or
depression.
| Gardening activities should be kept low in cost. The gardener should
be given control over his or her area of the garden or have his or
her own plants to care for. The gardener should be allowed to express
individuality while working within a group. In groups, a committee
structure can be used to make policies and solve problems. Social
activities associated with the garden should be encouraged. Allow
gardeners to teach others. Inter-generational activities are
particularly effective. |
Resources
Sources of adaptive tools adaptability, Post Office Box 515,
Colchester, CT 06415
Lehman Hardware and Appliances, 4779 Kidron Road, Post Office Box 41,
Kidron, OH 44636
Mellingers, Inc., 2310 West South Range, North Lima, OH 44452
Park Seed Co., Cokesbury Road, Greenwood, SC 29647
Walt Nicke Co., 36 McLeod Lane, Post Office Box 433, Topfield, MA
01983
W. Atlee Burpee & Co., 300 Park Avenue, Warminster, PA 18974
Sources of information from organizations and agencies
American Horticultural Therapy Association, Wightman Road, Suite 300,
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
American Association of Retired Persons, National Headquarters, 1909 K
Street NW, Washington, DC 20049 Council on Aging, 600 Maryland Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20024
Further Reading
The Able Gardener: Overcoming Barriers of Age & Physical Limitations.
Kathleen Yeomans. 1993. Storey Communications, Inc. Pownal, VT
Accent on Living. Accent Publications, Post Office Box 700,
Bloomington, IL 61702
Adaptive Garden Equipment. Julia Beems. 1985. Craig Hospital, 3425
South Clarkson, Englewood, CO 80110
A Positive Approach. 1600 Malone Street, Municipal Airport, Millville,
NJ 08332
Arthritis Today. Arthritis Foundation, 1314 Spring Street NW, Atlanta,
GA 30309
-----------------
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension
are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard
to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin,
gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and
Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868
|
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